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Homemade Products To Help Save Money

By: Mindy Johnson

 

The stockings were all hung by the chimney with care, in hopes that St. Nick soon would be there….

Can you believe it’s already Christmas time? I for one, am ready. It’s the first time in a long time that I’m not in a sheer panic over the last minute gifts I haven’t purchased or that “one” gift I couldn’t find that my son or daughter wanted. Quite possibly it’s due to age, which seems to manifest a mellow and more patient spirit. Or it might just have to do with the fact that my children are older and just being together is our main focus. Time does have a way of changing situations!

The moment I love best at Christmas is when everyone gathers in the living room with a lot of laughter and hustle and bustle. It’s that very moment when everyone sits down next to each other, as close as can be, and silence falls as heavy as a deep fog early in the morning. The Bible is opened and the Christmas Story is told. Each and every person listens contently and full attention seems to fall on every word. It’s that moment when you are no longer in the room, but taken back by the words you clearly envision. Being there, witnessing a miracle, watching as Mary and Joseph who both believed so deeply in God’s promise and knowing these two ordinary people were used in such a mighty way, for a Savior to be born. He truly does rule the world with truth and grace. As soon as the pages of the Bible fall quietly shut, everyone seems to have a little more love in their heart and the laughter returns once again.

Jesus was the greatest gift! Any gift made with love is a great gift to give. I hope this Homemade Product To Help Save Money, is a gift idea for those who either need a last minute gift idea or for those who don’t have a lot of money to spend. It’s a gift that can be made by young or old and can be given to a person of any age. And remember, if it’s made from the heart, its sure to warm the soul of those who receive it.

Homemade Handwarmers

Things Needed:

Scraps of soft, warm natural fibers such as felt

Fabric pen or pencil or chalk

Scissors

Needle and thread

Straight pins

Rice or barley

Funnel

If you don’t have all these items, I’m sure you can improvise.

Instructions: Take two pieces of fabric and cut them into equal shapes or sizes. Several different sizes can be made according to the hands they need to fit. A 4 inch by 5 inch rectangle seems to work well for adults and for smaller hands a 3 inch by 4 inch rectangle works best. Cookie cutters work well if wanted to cut out shapes. Once pieces are cut out, place their “right” sides together and sew the seams ¼ to ½ of an inch from the edge of the fabric, using a backstitch. Leave a ½ inch gap in the seam along one of the straight edge. Grab inside of fabric back thorough the ½ inch gap so that the warmers are right side out. Place funnel tube into warmer and fill the rice or barley. Kid size usually uses ¼ a cup of rice or barley filler and for adult ones, ½ to ¾ of a cup. Use a straight pin to close the fabric and then use a needle and thread to sew the game closed. You can get creative and decorate the edges with a blanket stitch or add some lengths of cotton ribbon to hang them up when not in use or to tie a set of warmers together. To heat them up, warm in microwave for 30 seconds and place in pockets or in gloves. If you’re lucky enough to own a wood stove, warmers can be placed under the stove, until warm. These are good for children on cold winter days playing in the snow or for farmers out working in the chilly days of winter.

If you’re too busy now for another project, may this be a fun activity to do with your children during Christmas break.

Merry Christmas to all!